Together We Can

It was a delight to have Hukarere Girls’ and Te Aute Māori Anglican Boys’ Colleges celebrate with us at an evening service on Sunday 12 June.

This year our theme was ‘weaving the bonds of love through prayer and worship’. Our Kapa Haka students sang a welcoming song to our guests and Mrs Belinda Averill welcomed the schools in Te Reo Māori.

A representative from each school shared a reflection. Readings and prayers were also led by each school. A plaiting of cords in the three school colours took place as our Up Close choir sang a beautiful anthem, Ohana i runga rawa.

Te Aute Chaplain, The Reverend Dinah Lambert, led the school in a chant reminding us all of our connections and unity in the Spirit.

Ka aru matou i a te Karaiti We run after Christ,

Tui, tui, tui tuia To weave, weave and weave us together.

Tuia ki te mamae We pass and receive the thread in our sufferings.

Tuia ki te tūmanako We pass and receive the thread in our hopes.

Tui, tui, tuia ki te ora We pass and receive the thread to life.

After our service, the Woodford Chapel team and Kapa Haka students gave supper to our guests in the dining room. More singing took place and the evening came to an end with the three schools still buzzing with excitement.

Together we can stand tall, together we can rejoice, together we can be united in spirit.